Corsair Value Select RAM ok?

[Jibby]

Hi all. I'm contemplating about getting a 2500+ Barton and Epox 8RDA+ (good price, had good experiences with the 8RGA+)... maybe the Abit NF7-S rev2... In any case, I was wondering if Corsair Value Select PC3200 DDR RAM is good enough for overclocking to at least 2800+ speeds at stock voltage? My budget's kinda tight at the moment (upgrading parts of two rigs at the same time) and that's mainly why I'm not splashing out on Corsair XMS. My guess would be that since reaching 400FSB would be good enough, and that's what the Corsair Value Select PC3200 should guarantee, they should be enough. In this respect, will Samsung/Winbond PC3200 be enough too?

Corsair Value Select PC3200 is AUD$166 for a stick of 512MB, and Samsung/Winbond PC3200 is AUD$155 for a stick of 512MB. Another question is... if I get 2x256MB now, and then one more 512MB at a later date, will the dual channel on the 8RDA+ be stringent enough to not run them in dual channel?

Also, since I'm getting an SLK800U for my other rig (for running a slow rpm fan on), I'm looking for a cheap-ish HSF for this rig I will overclock in. Will the Vantec Aeroflow do the job? The SK7 is significantly more expensive where I live, especially since I have to get a fan to go with it. I'm also considering the Aero 7+, but I've read it's fairly heavy, and it's likely I will be carting this rig to my friend's place every now and then.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Corporate Thug]

buffalo pc3200 is the way to go

btw, NF7-s > 8rda+

 

[Jibby]

Unfortunately I'm can't seem to find anywhere where buffalo RAM is sold here in Australia. But yeah, I'm aware that the general consensus here tend to be NF7-S > 8RDA+, but it's AUD $50 more expensive (not too bad, I guess)...

Also, forgot to mention... I'm pretty much hoping to have the OC'd 2500+ tie me over till late next year, when hopefully the new stuff from Intel and AMD are cheaper. That's why perhaps 2x256MB of ram may be fine... I do have 2x512MB on my non-gaming computer though... but PC2700 (Samsung). :/

 

[touchmyichi]

it wouldn't be a be a big step over your samsung 2700. I second buffalo.

 

[Jibby]

Can't seem to find buffalo sold here in Australia, but I went to http://www.buffalotech.com/memory/prod-ddrdimm.html and noticed that the manufacturers are Samsung, Winbond and Micron. Is Buffalo PC3200 the same as Samsung/Winbond PC3200? I can get the latter from http://insight.iinet.net.au/cats/index.html (download the pdf for more up-to-date prices).

 

[Nebor]

Yeah, I have Corsair 3200 Valueram in my AMD machine, and it still does CL2. heh.

 

[Blain]

I used two new Corsair OEM Value Select (Spectek), PC2700 DIMMs in an AOpen nForce2/Barton combo I built for someone.
She's running 98SE and kept getting random errors. I pulled the two sticks and ram Memtest on them... both passed.
She continued to get random errors until I swapped her my sweet Corsair XMS PC3000 for her two VS sticks. She now has a smooth running machine, and I've got a couple of iffy DIMMs.

She's happy and I've learned not to buy "Value" RAM of any brand.

BTW, The rig wasn't OC'd, I flashed the MB BIOS, did try different DIMM slots, as well as relaxing the timings.

 

[Jibby]

Thanks for the replies. Keep the comments coming.

Keep in mind that I don't want to splash out too much for the RAM, especially if I may get 2x512MB in the end (or maybe 2x256 now, then an additional 512 later). There wouldn't be much point paying so much for the RAM that I might as well get a faster Athlon XP. I do still have 2x512MB PC2700 Samsung DDR RAM sitting in my other computer that can be swapped out that can still go well with a non-OC'd, say, 2800+ or 3000+. I think the link of the store in my previous post should be a good guide as to the lowest prices I can get. I'll ask a friend to see if I can get stuff at cheaper rates through wholesalers and stuff... but I don't expect any lower prices than those at that store.